The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been urged to scrap a £710-a-week handout as part of a benefits crackdown, with critics warning it is keeping people out of work. The Labour government has been accused of doing "nothing" since returning to power in 2024 to address the rising welfare bill.
£710 Weekly Benefit Package Equivalent to £46,000 Salary
According to The Telegraph's Jeremy Warner, someone living in central London classified as having "limited capacity for work-related activity" can claim up to £710 a week through various entitlements. This is equivalent to a job with a gross salary of £46,000 per year. For those with dependents, the amount could be even higher.
Warner noted that even in Newcastle, where the cost of living is lower, the package could equate to a job paying £31,000 annually. "That's more than someone working full-time on the minimum wage would be getting in take-home pay," he said.
PIP Claims Expected to Reach 4.7 Million
The Conservative Party has warned that the number of people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit is expected to hit nearly 4.7 million by the end of Labour's term. The Tories argue that while PIP is vital for many with disabilities, too many people who can work are refusing to do so while claiming benefits for mild conditions.
The Conservatives have announced plans to reassess all mild PIP claims for anxiety, depression, and ADHD if they win the next election. Shadow DWP Secretary Helen Whately stated: "People should be supported to reach their potential, not left stuck on benefits. Handouts aren't the answer." She added that reassessing mild cases within the first two years would save £10 for every £1 spent on identifying ineligible claims.
Labour Accused of Inaction
Warner criticised Labour for failing to tackle the issue since coming to power. "Labour has done nothing since coming to power to turn the tide," he said. "The number of claimants on Universal Credit with no requirement to work has continued to rise, increasing by a further 1.5 million since July 2024."
The benefits bill has become a key political battleground, with the Conservatives positioning themselves as the party of welfare reform while accusing Labour of allowing the system to spiral out of control.
